Guides for therapists
Plain answers to what therapists ask about notes, consent, measures and records, for clinicians anywhere. Each one gives the general practice first, with its sources, then how Olive Grove helps.
DAP, SOAP, BIRP and GIRP notes: the formats, with examples
What each progress note format means, when to use it, and a short example of each: DAP, SOAP, BIRP and GIRP, plus intake and couples notes, for therapists and counsellors.
Private AI for therapy notes: what “local” means, and what to ask any AI scribe
How AI note tools for therapists handle session audio, where the AI runs, cloud versus on-your-computer AI, and ten questions to ask any AI scribe before you record a client.
Consent to record therapy sessions: what to explain, how to ask, how to keep the answer
How to ask a client for informed consent to record a therapy session: what to explain, how to ask, how to note the answer, and what to do when consent is withdrawn.
Measurement-based care with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7: what they measure, how often, and how to read change
Measurement-based care with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7: what each measures, the score bands from the original papers, how often to give them, and how to read change over time.
Documenting couples and family sessions: whose record, what goes where, and privacy between partners
How to document couples and family therapy: whose record it is, what goes in a joint note and what stays in an individual file, and privacy between partners.
Writing a treatment plan with measurable goals: goals, objectives, interventions and review dates
How to write a therapy treatment plan with measurable goals: goals in the client’s words, objectives you can check, the interventions that serve them, and review dates, with an example.
Keeping client records safe on your own computer: sign-in, encryption, backups and lost devices
Good practice for therapists who keep client records on their own computer: sign-in and screen lock, disk encryption, backups including off-site, and what to do if a device is lost or stolen.
Using AI for clinical documentation responsibly: a checklist for therapists
A checklist for therapists using AI to draft clinical notes: client consent, where the data goes, reviewing every line, bias, and why the clinician signs.
Choosing a tool? How to compare AI note tools: ten questions, answered for Olive Grove.